This workshop explores the concept that leadership is context driven. You will deepen your understanding of how national and organizational cultures interact and impact on beliefs, values and behaviours in schools. In addition, you will discuss how to develop a positive organisational culture, which is proven to be closely aligned with high student achievement. The workshop will enable you to investigate leadership issues in different IB contexts. Through illustrative case studies, critical reading, collaborative problem solving, reflection journals, diagnostic testing, and research projects, you will be expected to reflect upon how these relate to your own experiences and develop responses and solutions that align with IB philosophy.

Leadership is a social construct, positioned in time and place and influenced by personality. This workshop aims to expose, test, and critique the assumptions upon which each participant’s own style, definition and understanding of leadership are based. Leadership theory and current research will form the basis for discussion with case studies and the participants’ own experiences being used to explore leadership, cross-cultural investigations and the impact of culture on leadership styles and practices. There will be an emphasis on the complex, contextual and holistic nature of leadership, and participants will build deeper understandings of how to adapt their leadership style in different contexts.

This workshop will provide opportunities for you to explore theories of learning and instructional design principles underpinning the IB programmes. You will consider the impact these have on student learning and how the school can support this learning. You will look at the implications of adopting these ideas and principles when developing and implementing school strategy and policy. You will explore the instrumental role that authentic assessment plays in guiding learning activities and enabling student learning and discuss how assessment of and for learning, can be incorporated into a whole school assessment policy. You will identify strategies for successful policy implementation and the role of teachers and teaching in the learning process.

Research shows that a school with has a strong vision and mission has a very much higher chance of having high student achievement as well. The objectives of this workshop are to introduce and clarify the value and strength of a good vision and mission, and to enable you to develop a strategic plan to create, implement, review and make sustainable, an excellent vision and mission for your school context. It is important that your vision and mission imbue the philosophy and values of the IB and provide the best structure for the full implementation of the IB programmes.

Speakers details

Darlene Fisher has worked for more than 30 years as a teacher and administrator. Within the last 16 years, she has worked in IB World Schools in Oman, Thailand, India, Turkey, and the UK. Darlene is currently working at ECIS to develop educational programmes for teachers and school leaders in international schools. She also supports schools in the process of IB authorization. Darlene’s doctoral studies focus on educational leadership and the impact of culture, and she helps to develop leadership workshops and pathways for heads of IB World Schools.

Nigel Forbes-Harper moved from the UK to Australia in 1972 and began his full-time teaching career in 1980 in Western Australia. This career took Nigel to Papua New Guinea, the Northern Territory of Australia, Turkey and Thailand, where he served as Head of the Senior School at Prem Tinsulanonda International School. Nigel later served for five years as head of School Services in the Asia Pacific region and was responsible for the management of IB programmes in IB World Schools in the region. He returned to Australia in 2012.

Nigel Forbes-Harper moved from the UK to Australia in 1972 and began his full-time teaching career in 1980 in Western Australia. This career took Nigel to Papua New Guinea, the Northern Territory of Australia, Turkey and Thailand, where he served as Head of the Senior School at Prem Tinsulanonda International School. Nigel later served for five years as head of School Services in the Asia Pacific region and was responsible for the management of IB programmes in IB World Schools in the region. He returned to Australia in 2012.

Nigel's leadership mantra:Collaborate, listen, reflect, decide.

Mona Seervai says she has lived life in 10-year nuggets—first pursuing biochemistry until her mid-twenties, then working with poor urban women, trying to organize them around shelter in Mumbai. This is Mona’s twelfth year as the principal of a school offering the DP, Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and a candidate for PYP. The IB has reaffirmed Mona’s educational philosophy and beliefs, helping her to meet many like-minded individuals across the world. Mona has been on the Regional Council since 2012 and also serves on the Board of the Indian School Leadership Institute.

Mona's leadership mantra:A leader is one who is active, passionate and has the energy to drive programmes and the warmth and empathy to carry the team forward and support when there are challenges.

Darlene Fisher has worked for more than 30 years as a teacher and administrator. Within the last 16 years, she has worked in IB World Schools in Oman, Thailand, India, Turkey, and the UK. Darlene is currently working at ECIS to develop educational programmes for teachers and school leaders in international schools. She also supports schools in the process of IB authorization. Darlene’s doctoral studies focus on educational leadership and the impact of culture, and she helps to develop leadership workshops and pathways for heads of IB World Schools.

Sean Watt has been in leadership roles for over 20 years in education and sporting organisations including roles such as a Head of Middle School, Head of Junior School and Head of Teaching and Learning. Sean now owns his own consulting business working with universities, a global publisher and education companies. He is also Director of a Sporting Club and Founder/Director of a company specialising in developing high performance cultures in business, sport and education. Internationally, he has consulted with a number of schools and has developed and facilitated with the International Baccalaureate for on-line, webinars and face-to-face workshops on well-being, sustainability and leadership throughout parts of Asia and Australia.

Sean's leadership mantra:Every person has a worth that needs fostering and developing.

Deidre Fischer discovered the world of teaching in the IB in 1998 when she moved overseas, teaching in the Philippines, China, Mongolia, and Indonesia. She has held a variety of leadership and management roles, including Head of School in three IB World Schools. Deidre combines her depth and breadth of experience with her love for teaching and facilitating within her own business. The core value that drives her career is integrity and the fundamental belief of being respectful and helping others achieve their potential.

Deidre's leadership mantra:Great leaders find ways to connect with their people and help them achieve their potential.

Sean Watt has been in leadership roles for over 20 years in education and sporting organisations including roles such as a Head of Middle School, Head of Junior School and Head of Teaching and Learning. Sean now owns his own consulting business working with universities, a global publisher and education companies. He is also Director of a Sporting Club and Founder/Director of a company specialising in developing high performance cultures in business, sport and education. Internationally, he has consulted with a number of schools and has developed and facilitated with the International Baccalaureate for on-line, webinars and face-to-face workshops on well-being, sustainability and leadership throughout parts of Asia and Australia.

Sean's leadership mantra:Every person has a worth that needs fostering and developing.

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